Questioning Islam is not Anti-Muslim Hatred

Since not much time has passed since the hijackers came to the USA, pretending to be students, pretending to be peaceful, seekers of prosperity, when in fact they came to destroy and kill people in the name of Allah and Islam, how can someone not understand how many Americans will always feel betrayed and distrustful?

One caller on a PBS radio show tonight made a good point about Pat Robertson’s candidacy, voters wanted to know his religious views and how they would effect his presidency, the media was relentless. I remember similar questions about Kennedy’s Catholicism, Nixon’s Quaker upbringing, Jim Carter, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Romney, Obama. Questioning candidates’ religious beliefs (or lack there of) is traditional and perhaps a duty. Since Islam is in most of the world where it is practiced, a religious, social and political system and not just a religion, it is legitimate to question and criticize its traditions, history and teachings. This is often misinterpreted as being anti-muslim hatred, it is not.

I don't personally know a single person who has said they hate Muslims and I would not have anything to do with a person who practices this. I know many, many people who question the teachings of Islam, who criticize the traditions and biases practiced in predominately Islamic countries, who critically analyze the teachings of the Koran and Muhammad, who may show the ugly side of historical Islam. It is analysis and questioning, but it is not anti-muslim hatred. Hatred against a person is simply wrong.